Testing the 3D printers


Overview

Last updated: 02/03/2016

Objectives
1.Test and tune the 3D printers that you have in the lab;

Summary
At the SantaChiara Lab in Siena we have 3 FDM printers and one STL printer. This page collects the tests that we made with the following machines:
1.Ultimaker2: 3D FDM Printer;
2.Luzbot TAZ: 3D FDM printer;
3.Flashforge Dreamer: 3D FDM printer;
4.DWS Xfab: 3D sthereolithographic Printer;

Introduction

The testing of the machines was conducted on the following parameters:
  • Size: the object is 4x50x50mm (baseplate)
  • Hole size: 3 holes (3/4/5mm)
  • Nut size: M4 Nut should fit perfectly
  • Fine details: pyramide, cone, all numbers
  • Rounded print: wave, half sphere
  • Minimum distance between walls: 0.1/0.2/0.3/0.4/0.5mm
  • overhang: 25°/30°/35°/40°/45°
  • bridge print: 2/3/4/5/6/7/8/9mm
  • surface: all the flat parts

  • In order to check all these things, we used this STL file.


    Ultimaker 2: Cura settings


    Luzbot TAZ: Cura settings


    Flashforge Dreamer: Flashprint settings


    Conclusions

    In our test we did push all the three machines to print at their best quality and it turned out that the Flashforge has the best resolution and capability to print overhangs. Both the Luzbot and the Ultimaker delivered insufficient results.


    Resources